, Letter, [], Hancock Co., IL, to JS and , , 2 Jan. 1840. Featured version copied [between Apr. and June 1840] in JS Letterbook 2, pp. 91–94; handwriting of ; JS Collection, CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for JS Letterbook 2.
Historical Introduction
On 2 January 1840, wrote a letter to JS and , who were in , in response to a number of letters he had received from the two men. With and JS out of town, Smith was the only member of the in , Illinois, which made him responsible for managing affairs there and responding to inquiries from church spread throughout the country.
In his letter, updated JS and on his efforts to gather duplicates of land records that JS and Higbee apparently planned to submit to Congress as support for the church’s petition for redress. He also reported on his work to secure more financing for their trip, as JS had directed, especially since the delegation was already running short on funds. Smith apprised JS and Higbee of ’s request to publish editions of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the church’s hymnbook in . In addition, Smith informed them of ’s delay in traveling to to help settle some of the church’s debts. Finally, Smith asked JS for advice on several other matters, including whether their parents should accompany Granger to , Ohio.
likely sent the letter by post, the primary method by which the church’s delegation to the federal government communicated with church leaders in . No response from JS has been located. The original letter from Smith is apparently not extant, but copied it into JS Letterbook 2 sometime between April and June 1840.
in Slaughtering them. I think there will be a good deal of trade carried on in this line another year. You may expect to hear from us soon again. I sent you a copy of the deposit I made to Holmes & Co. which I hope you will receive safe
I am very affectionately
P.S.
We have concluded not to send any duplicates in this letter. The pac[k]ages of <dup>licates <will> be directed to , thinking they will come more safe to his address [p. 94]